Parkland resident to be recognized at annual awards night in November
Atlantis, Fla – Mike Richards, PGA Director of Instruction at the Mike Richards Golf Academy at Parkland Golf and Country Club has been named the 2014 SFPGA Teacher of the Year. This award recognizes the professional who provides outstanding service as a golf instructor. The recipient is selected based on his/her efforts in promoting golf, use of teachings involvement in junior golf activities and teaching techniques.
Richards has received numerous awards for his leadership and outstanding teaching methods. He was voted Teacher of the Year for the SFPGA Southern Chapter in 2011, selected as a US Kids Certified Instructor in 2013-2014, nominated Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructors in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2012, and was also a member of the PGA Presidents’ Council on Growing the Game from 2006-2013.
As a proud supporter of the PGA Growth of the Game initiatives, Richards promotes Get Golf Ready, Tee It Forward, Family Tees and “It’s OK to Play” to his clients and members of Parkland Golf & Country Club. He also instructs over 50 women in a Get Golf Ready Program conducted on a 12 month schedule. On a junior level, Richards made it his first priority to implement a junior golf program upon his arrival at Parkland Golf & Country Club. What began as a junior group and private lessons has grown into a very successful junior summer camp and now has a presence in SFPGA Team Golf. His program includes different experience levels and uses SNAG Golf and PGA Family Tees. Richards has also introduced SNAG Golf into local schools in Broward County.
In addition to his work at the Mike Richards Golf Academy, Richards also utilizes technology to teach clients from around the world. He is the only golf instructor who analyzes internet golf lessons for Golf Digest’s “Makes Me Better” program. He views and analyzes over 1,000 golf swings per year via the internet. Another special program Richards offers is a weekly “Ask the Pro” segment which brings together the staff and Parkland Golf & Country Club membership. Members ask the staff questions about golf related topics which allows Richards and his staff to be available each week in an open discussion.
“I love to see people improve. When my students call or text me to tell me about a recent round they have, I feel like what I taught them is validated,” says Richards. His love of teaching and passion for the game of golf has led him to inspire his clients and share what he has learned from the great teachers who helped him. Richards believes in being a multi-purpose coach and has attended lectures and seminars to help him better understand all aspects of the golf game.
“I am so humbled to have won this award. So many great teachers in South Florida have been past recipients and I am honored to be in such great company,” said Mike Richards.
Mike Richards, along with other South Florida PGA Annual Award winners, will be recognized at the SFPGA Awards Night on November 11 at the County Club at Mirasol.
About the South Florida PGA
The South Florida PGA, one of 41 PGA Section offices throughout the United States, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The South Florida Section is one link in the grass-roots network used to facilitate communication amongst the nation’s 25 million amateur golfers and the PGA’s 28,000 members. The South Florida Section PGA is comprised of over 1,600 men and women PGA Professionals dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Tori Stock
tstock@pgahq.com
